IPL 2012 Live: Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers Preview

After two weeks and nearly two dozen matches played, the teams continue to experience their forms fluctuate in the fifth season of the Indian Premier League. Two more matches are scheduled for Thursday, the first of the two involving Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils.

Delhi Daredevils, the hosts, are enjoying a comfortable start to the season with three wins from four matches. Their last two matches yielded convincing and similar wins for them as they restricted the opposition to low totals with a disciplined bowling performance before chasing down the total with an aggressive intent.

Against Mumbai Indians, the small total of 92 was chased down inside 15 overs. Morne Morkel will be an asset having picked up nine wickets so far. His supreme form has also enabled the other bowlers to bowl well around him as Ajit Agarkar came into the side and picked up two wickets in a decent showing.

With the bat, Virender Sehwag and Kevin Pietersen showed their class in a quick run-chase while Irfan Pathan is surprisingly still the team’s highest run-scorer this season.

For Deccan Chargers, they perhaps cannot hit further lows after losing all three matches so far. The only side without a win this season, the Chargers will be desperate to get points on the board after a tall total they posted was also chased down by Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday.

Kumar Sangakkara, the captain, would do well to muster plans to halt the losing streak. The batsmen did their job well with Shikhar Dhawan and JP Duminy scoring half-centuries besides a cameo from Dan Christian.

But the bowlers continue to struggle as Dale Steyn had a rare off day and the other bowlers around him failed to cause any impact. Amit Mishra picked up wickets in the last match and will be eager to continue his form further.